Gulf War order of battle: United States Navy

The United States Navy sent their naval forces in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf including six Aircraft Carriers to take part in Operation Desert Storm, including others that arrived before or after the war started and ended (as part of Operation Southern Watch).

Units in Operation Desert Shield Before Operation Desert Storm, the US Navy helped with the buildup of forces in the Middle East. Both Independence and Dwight D. Eisenhower did not take part in the actual conflict.

'Battle Group Delta'''* (Relieved by USS Midway on 1 November 1990) - Persian Gulf === Source: USS Independence CV-62 USS Jouett CG-29 USS Antietam CG-54 USS Goldborough DDG-20 USS Reasoner FF-1063 USS Brewton FF-1086 USS Barbey FF-1088 Carrier Air Wing 14 - Tail Code: NKSquadronAircraftNotesVF-21 Free LancersF-14A TomcatVF-154 Black KnightsF-14A TomcatVFA-25 Fist of the FleetF/A-18C HornetVFA-113 StingersF/A-18C HornetVA-196 Main BatteryA-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-139 CougarsEA-6B ProwlerVS-37 SawbucksS-3A VikingVAW-113 Black EaglesE-2C HawkeyeHS-8 EightballersSH-3H Sea King

=== USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 (8 to 24 August) - Persian Gulf === Source: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 USS Ticonderoga CG-47 USS Tattnall DDG-19 USS Scott DDG-995 USS Peterson DD-969 USS John Rodgers DD-983 USS John L. Hall FFG-32 USS Paul FF-1080 Carrier Air Wing 7 - Tail Code: AGSquadronAircraftNotesVF-142 GhostridersF-14A+ TomcatF-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992.VF-143 Pukin' DogsF-14A+ TomcatF-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992.VFA-136 Knight HawksF/A-18A HornetVFA-131 WildcatsF/A-18A HornetVA-34 Blue BlastersA-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-140 PatriotsEA-6B ProwlerVS-31 TopcatsS-3B VikingVAW-121 BluetailsE-2C HawkeyeHS-5 Night DippersSH-3H Sea King

== Units in Operation Desert Storm ==

=== Battle Group Alfa'(2 October 1990 to 17 April 1991 - Persian Gulf) === Source: USS Midway CV-41 (Flagship of Battle Force Zulu) USS Bunker Hill CG-52 USS Mobile Bay CG-53 USS Hewitt DD-966 USS Oldendorf DD-972 USS Fife DD-991 USS Curts FFG-38

Unlike the other carriers in the Gulf War, USS Midway couldn't carry the S-3 Viking or the F-14 Tomcat due to her size constraints meaning the ship instead had three F/A-18 squadrons.

Carrier Air Wing 5 - Tail Code: NFSquadronAircraftNotesVFA-151 VigilantesF/A-18A HornetVFA-192 Golden DragonsF/A-18A HornetVFA-195 DambustersF/A-18A HornetFirst F/A-18 Hornet squadron to deploy the AGM-62 Walleye II.VA-115 EaglesA-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVA-185 NighthawksA-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVA-185 led the first naval strikes. It was decommissioned on 30 August 1991.VAQ-136 GauntletsEA-6B ProwlerVAW-115 Liberty BellsE-2C HawkeyeHS-12 WyvernsSH-3H Sea KingUSS Bunker Hill CG-52 SquadronAircraftNotesHSL-47 Saberhawks Det. A/BSH-60B SeahawkDetachment A from January till 10 February

Detachment B for the remainder of the war.

=== Saratoga Carrier Battlegroup (7 August 1990 to 28 March 1991) - Red Sea === USS Saratoga CV-60 USS South Carolina CGN-37 USS Biddle CG-34 USS Philippine Sea CG-58 USS Spruance DD-963 USS Sampson DDG-10 USS Elmer Montgomery FF-1082 USS Thomas C. Hart FF-1092

Carrier Air Wing 17 - Tail Code: AASquadronAircraftNotesVF-74 Be-DevilersF-14A+ TomcatF-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992.VF-103 SluggersF-14A+ TomcatF-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992.VFA-81 SunlinersF/A-18C HornetScored first Navy air to air kills in Gulf War (2 F-7B Fishbeds - PRC copy of MiG-21).VFA-83 RampagersF/A-18C HornetVA-35 Black PanthersA-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-132 ScorpionsEA-6B ProwlerVS-30 DiamondcuttersS-3B VikingVAW-125 Tigertails/TorchbearersE-2C HawkeyeHS-3 TridentsSH-3H Sea King

=== Battle Group Echo (8 December 1990 – 8 June 1991) - Persian Gulf === Source: USS Ranger CV-61 USS Horne CG-30 USS Valley Forge CG-50 USS Princeton CG-59 USS Paul F. Foster DD-964 USS Harry W. Hill DD-986 USS Jarrett FFG-33 USS Francis Hammond FF-1067

USS Ranger had a very different air wing compared to most carriers in the Gulf War as it was in the 'Grumman Air Wing' format. This meant it didn't have the F/A-18 or A-7E Corsair, which were the 2 different light attack aircraft used on many of the carriers, replacing them with 2 A-6E intruder squadrons. Carrier Air Wing 2 - Tail Code: NESquadronAircraftNotesVF-1 WolfpackF-14A TomcatScored last Navy air to air kill (Mi-8 Helicopter)VF-2 Bounty HuntersF-14A TomcatVA-145 SwordsmenA-6E SWIP/TRAM IntruderSWIP improvement was an avionics upgrade to A-6E TRAMs.VA-155 Silver FoxesA-6E TRAM IntruderVAQ-131 LancersEA-6B ProwlerVS-38 Red GriffinsS-3A VikingVAW-116 Sun KingsE-2C HawkeyeHS-14 ChargersSH-3H Sea KingVRC-30 Providers Detachment 61C-2A GreyhoundVRC-50 Foo Dogs Detachment C-2A GreyhoundDeployed aboard USS Ranger when the carrier in the area of responsibility of the 7th Fleet.

=== USS America CV-66 (28 December 1990 – 18 April 1991) - Red Sea (Later Persian Gulf) ===

USS America CV-66 USS Virginia CGN-38 USS Normandy CG-60 USS William V. Pratt DDG-44 USS Preble DDG-46 USS Halyburton FFG-40

USS America crossed through the Suez Canal on 15 January 1991, the same day the UN deadline for Iraq leaving Kuwait ended.

At daylight on 19 January 1991 (2 days after the first night), CVW-1 conducted their first strikes against Iraq. Carrier Air Wing 1 - Tail Code: ABSquadronAircraftNotesVF-33 StarfightersF-14A TomcatVF-102 DiamondbacksF-14A TomcatVFA-82 MaraudersF/A-18C HornetVFA-86 SidewindersF/A-18C HornetVA-85 Black FalconsA-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-137 RooksEA-6B ProwlerVS-32 MaulersS-3B VikingVAW-123 ScrewtopsE-2C HawkeyeHS-11 Dragon SlayersSH-3H Sea King

=== USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 (15 August 1990 – 28 March 1991) - Red Sea=== USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 USS Mississippi CGN-40 USS Thomas S. Gates CG-51 USS San Jacinto CG-56 USS Moosbrugger DD-980 USS Samuel B. Roberts FFG-58

Carrier Air Wing 3 - Tail Code: ACSquadronAircraftNotesVF-14 TophattersF-14A TomcatVF-32 SwordsmenF-14A TomcatVA-46 ClansmenA-7E CorsairLast war for the A-7 Corsair.VA-72 Blue HawksA-7E CorsairLast war for the A-7 Corsair.VA-75 Sunday PunchersA-6E SWIP/TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderSWIP improvement was an avionics upgrade to A-6E TRAMs.VAQ-130 ZappersEA-6B ProwlerVS-22 CheckmatesS-3B VikingVAW-126 SeahawksE-2C HawkeyeHS-7 Dusty DogsSH-3H Sea King

=== USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71 (28 December 1990 – 28 June 1991) - Persian Gulf (Later Red Sea) === Source: USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71 USS Richmond K. Turner CG-20 USS Leyte Gulf CG-55 USS Caron DD-970 USS Hawes FFG-53 USS Vreeland FF-1068 USS Theodore Roosevelt launched her first strikes two days after the first night on the morning of 19 January 1991. After the Gulf War, Theodore Roosevelt took part in Operation Provide Comfort after transiting the Suez Canal on 20 April 1991.

Carrier Air Wing 8 - Tail Code: AJSquadronAircraftNotesVF-41 Black AcesF-14A TomcatVF-84 Jolly RogersF-14A TomcatVFA-15 ValionsF/A-18A HornetVFA-87 Golden WarriorsF/A-18A HornetVA-36 RoadrunnersA-6E TRAM IntruderVA-65 TigersA-6E TRAM IntruderThis was VA-65's last deployment before retirement in 1993.VAQ-141 ShadowhawksEA-6B ProwlerVS-24 ScoutsS-3B VikingVAW-124 Bear AcesE-2C HawkeyeHS-9 Sea GriffinsSH-3H Sea KingVRC-40 Rawhides Detachment DC-2A Greyhounds

== Units in Operation Southern Watch (1991-2003) == ===1991===Battle Group Bravo (25 February 1991 – 24 August 1991)

Source:Command history navy.mil USS Nimitz CVN-68 USS Texas CGN-39 USS Chancellorsville CG-62 USS Rentz FFG-46 USS Stein FF-1065 USS Harold E. Holt FF-1074 USS Camden AOE-2 Carrier Air Wing 9 - Tail Code: NGSquadronAircraftNotesVF-24 Fighting RenegadesF-14A+ TomcatVF-211 CheckmatesF-14A+ TomcatF-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992.VFA-146 Blue DiamondsF/A-18C (N) HornetNight Attack HornetVFA-147 ArgonautsF/A-18C (N) HornetNight Attack HornetVA-165 BoomersA-6E SWIP Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-138 Yellow JacketsEA-6B ProwlerVS-33 ScrewbirdsS-3A VikingVAW-112 Golden HawksE-2C HawkeyeHS-2 Golden FalconsSH-60F/HH-60H OceanhawkBattle Group Foxtrot (26 May 1991 – 25 November 1991)

Source:Command history navy.mil USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72 USS Long Beach CGN-9 USS Lake Champlain CG-57 USS Merrill DD-976 USS Gary FFG-51 USS Ingraham FFG-61 This was the maiden voyage for USS Abraham Lincoln. Carrier Air Wing 11 - Tail Code: NHSquadronAircraftNotesVF-114 AardvarksF-14A TomcatDisestablished 30 April 1993VF-213 Black LionsF-14A TomcatVFA-22 Fighting RedcocksF/A-18C (N) HornetNight Attack HornetVFA-94 Mighty ShrikesF/A-18C (N) HornetNight Attack HornetVA-95 Green LizardsA-6E SWIP Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-135 Black RavensEA-6B ProwlerVS-29 DragonfliesS-3B VikingVAW-117 WallbangersE-2C HawkeyeHS-6 IndiansSH-60F/HH-60H OceanhawkBattle Force Zulu (26 September 1991 – 2 April 1992)

Source:Command history navy.mil USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 USS Bainbridge CGN-25 USS Ticonderoga CG-47 USS Mahan DDG-42 USS Arthur W. Radford DD-968 USS Elrod FFG-55

Carrier Air Wing 7 - Tail Code: AGSquadronAircraftNotesVF-142 GhostridersF-14A+ TomcatF-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992.VF-143 Pukin' DogsF-14A+ TomcatF-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992.VFA-136 Knight HawksF/A-18A HornetVFA-131 WildcatsF/A-18A HornetVA-34 Blue BlastersA-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-140 PatriotsEA-6B ProwlerVS-31 TopcatsS-3B VikingVAW-121 BluetailsE-2C HawkeyeHS-5 Night DippersSH-3H Sea KingAmerica Carrier Battle Group (2 December 1991 – 6 June 1992)

Source: USS America CV-66 USS Normandy CG-60 USS Monterey CG-61 USS Scott DDG-995 USS John Hancock DD-981 USS Thorn DD-988 USS Boone FFG-28 USS Simpson FFG-56 Carrier Air Wing 1 - Tail Code: ABSquadronAircraftNotesVF-33 StarfightersF-14A TomcatVF-102 DiamondbacksF-14A TomcatVFA-82 MaraudersF/A-18C HornetVFA-86 SidewindersF/A-18C HornetVA-85 Black FalconsA-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D IntruderVAQ-137 RooksEA-6B ProwlerVS-32 MaulersS-3B VikingVAW-123 ScrewtopsE-2C HawkeyeHS-11 Dragon SlayersSH-3H Sea King

===1992===Independence Carrier Battle Group (15 April 1992 – 13 October 1992)

Source:Command history navy.mil USS Independence CV-62 USS Gridley CG-21 USS Bunker Hill CG-52 USS Mobile Bay CG-53 USS Fife DD-991 USS Thach FFG-43 USS Vandegrift FFG-48 USS Independence replaced USS Midway as the forward deployed carrier of the United States 7th Fleet.

Carrier Air Wing 5 - Tail Code: NFSquadronAircraftNotesVF-21 Free LancersF-14A TomcatVF-154 Black KnightsF-14A TomcatVFA-192 Golden DragonsF/A-18C HornetVFA-195 DambustersF/A-18C HornetVA-115 EaglesA-6E SWIP/TRAM IntruderVAQ-136 GauntletsEA-6B ProwlerVS-21 RedtailsS-3B VikingVAW-115 Liberty BellsE-2C HawkeyeHS-12 WyvernsSH-3H Sea KingRanger Carrier Battle Group (1 August 1992 – 31 January 1993)

Source:Command history navy.mil USS Ranger CV-61 USS Valley Forge CG-50 USS Chosin CG-65 USS Kinkaid DD-965 USS Kirk FF-1087

This was the last cruise for USS Ranger. Carrier Air Wing 2 - Tail Code: NESquadronAircraftNotesVF-1 WolfpackF-14A TomcatDisestablished 1 Oct 1993VF-2 Bounty HuntersF-14A TomcatVA-145 SwordsmenA-6E SWIP IntruderSWIP improvement was an avionics upgrade to A-6E TRAMs. Disestablished 1 Oct 1993VA-155 Silver FoxesA-6E SWIP IntruderDisestablished 30 April 1993VAQ-131 LancersEA-6B ProwlerVS-38 Red GriffinsS-3A VikingVAW-116 Sun KingsE-2C HawkeyeHS-14 ChargersSH-3H Sea KingKitty Hawk Carrier Battle Group (3 November 1992 – 3 May 1993)

Source:Command history navy.milCommand history navy.mil USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 USS Leahy CG 16 USS Worden CG-18 USS William H. Standley CG-32 USS Cowpens CG-63 USS Hewitt DD-966 USS Stump DD-978 USS Jarrett FFG-33 USS Samuel B. Roberts FFG-58 USS Houston SSN-713 USS Louisville SSN-724 USS Sacramento AOE-1

The Kitty Hawk Battle Group participated in a airstrike on Jan 13 to Jan 22 in 1993.